"L'Espolon De L'Ocaive is probably the most stunning and best sport routes I have ever climbed. 50m of continuously interesting and exciting moves right up until the end..."

Gaz has previously climbed four other routes of F8c: True North, the stamina test on the North Buttress of Kilnsey in Yorkshire, Unjustified, perhaps the most popular F8c in the UK at the moment, taking a striking line through the steepness of Malham, Yorkshire, Malsonandro at Gandia in the Costa Blanca and Espacio El Tiempo at the Wild Side, Sella, Costa Blanca.

Gaz, originally a Lancashire climber, has relocated to Valencia, Spain. He is one of the UK's most successful competition climbers - six times British Champion.

Describing his recent ascent of L'Espolon De L'Ocaive Gaz said:

" ...I felt relaxed and warmed up well. I fired up the 8b which fell easily, any pump from this would make it impossible to climb the upper technical arete. The top half went well with only a few jitters including a bit of freestyling around the last bolt when I caught a hold wrong. Thankfully my Kalymnos fitness had come in useful as I managed to recover on all the rests no matter how poor they were. The belay arrived with a scream and I could finally get all my clips back."